Home

Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart. -Shinichi Suzuki

Searching for a Suzuki violin teacher for your pre-schooler or school-aged child?

Welcome to the homepage of String Presence Academy, a private string studio located in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Mission

It is the mission of String Presence to use the universal language of music to touch, heal and nurture humanity. The belief that the environment shapes the being insists that constants of love, compassion, patience, respect, consideration and giving are a must for a life full of purpose, enrichment and abundance. This mission is not only aligned with the philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki, but the Creator and Most High.

String Presence is committed to perpetuating these values in the community through two primary avenues: Education and nurturing of the whole family through the Suzuki Violin School using Dr. Suzuki’s Mother Tongue approach, and through service by providing music that touches the spirit during any occasion, event, or function where humanity can all be on common ground.

Violin Lessons

String Presence Academy accepts students who wish to study violin, viola or beginning cello. Students as young as three and older are eligible for lessons. Very young students require a committed parent who is willing to attend all lessons and help reinforce the material learned in lessons, serving as the “at home teacher” for the child.

Private Violin/Viola/Cello Instruction: personal, individualized instruction primarily using the Suzuki methodology, although in some instances other approaches are used depending on the desire of the student or the decision maker with the pro’s, con’s, advantages, disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses explored and explained first.

Tutoring Services: some students just want “help” or assistance with certain aspects of the learning process and do not necessarily want to take private lessons each week or participate in studio activities. Students are taught on a consultative basis and are charged a “consultant” fee instead of paying the monthly tuition for weekly lessons. Scheduling is done per availability of studio time.

Enrollment generally takes place in June and/or September. Students are accepted as slots become available during the school year. Lessons are taught on an appointment-only basis. Your location will determine which days are available.

To inquire further, please contact me to let us know about your requirements and requests.

About

Megan Jenifer-Harris, violinist and educator, is the owner of String Presence Academy, Suzuki Violin Studio. Megan has been in the music business for her lifetime and is committed to the Suzuki philosophy of education. She studied formally for several years through the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program under Mr. & Mrs. Lynn McClain.

Megan received both a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Engineering Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree fromHampton University. While at Hampton, she helped develop the first and only all student-based African American HBCU orchestra under the guidance of Professor Jerry Bracey. In addition to her role as a founding member, she was also concert mistress of the H.U. Chamber Orchestra and String Ensemble. She was featured with the Jazz Ensemble and was a participant in the Virginia Symphony Minority Fellowship Program.

Megan also participated in the H.U. Community Orchestra under the direction of the late Dr. James Herbison. She was the first violinist in the Peninsula String Quartet. Megan was also a staff teacher in the Hampton University Music Program during the summer months where she taught beginning piano, voice and electric bass. She received awards for outstanding achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts Department in 1997 and the Department of Music in 1999. Since 2011, Megan has been returning to her alma mater during the month of July to teach violin in the A+ Summer Residential Program, through the Freddye T. Davey Honor’s College.

Megan is a registered Suzuki Violin instructor with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), where she received her initial training from Ronda Cole. Megan has taught hundreds of beginning violin and viola students, several who have gone on to participate successfully in various orchestras, concerto competitions and rigorous music camps. Several of her former students have also been accepted into the Governor’s School for the Arts, have graduated from conservatory, traveled internationally & even composed original works performed by the Hampton Roads Chamber Players.

She has taught formally at Quality Music Center and Tidewater Adventist Academy in Chesapeake. She has also taught at The Celestial School of the Arts and St. Mary Star of the Sea in Hampton, Music Art & Mind in Virginia Beach, The Crispus Attucks Cultural Arts Center in Norfolk, and The Jubal Arts Center in Suffolk, VA. Megan Currently studies with Jorge Aguirre of the Virginia Symphony. She is a member of the Suzuki Teacher’s Association of Hampton Roads (STAHR) and the SAA.

Locally, Megan has performed with Aida Strings, Musica D’Archi, Grace Notes and The Fuzz Band for various engagements throughout the Hampton Roads Area.

Contact

Please fill out the form below if you want to be included on our mailing list. By joining the list, you will be notified about lesson openings, scheduling, local performances, specials, workshops, masterclasses and other upcoming events: